College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
REU in Interdisciplinary Evolutionary Science
Interdisciplinary Evolutionary Sciences - Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
Program Details
The focus of this REU is training in evolutionary science, with students working on research projects across several disciplines. Several academic departments at the University of Iowa offer research projects that span a range of topics, including evolution of behavior, origin of species, cancer evolution, evolution of sex, paleontology, and the evolution of disease. Study organisms span a large range of taxa, and include: flies, snails, fungi, viruses, wasps, human cancer cells, beetles, and disease-causing bacteria and protozoa. Students work on one project, but through interactions with their cohort ultimately receive a broad exposure to evolutionary science. As part of the program, students: receive training in research best practices, participate in career workshops, create a digital exhibit based on their research for the University of Iowa Natural History Museum, and make formal research presentations based on their work. Housing, a meal allowance, stipend ($6,250), and a travel allowance are provided to all participants.
Link to the Summer 2024 Application Portal
Mentors and Project Areas (click on links to learn more about each mentor and their research programs)
Dr. Dan Eberl - Reception of courtship song in dipteran insects
Dr. Jan Fassler - Variation in sequence and functions of glutamine rich proteins
Dr. Anthony Fischer - Evolution of Staphylococcus aureus during chronic respiratory infections
Dr. Andrew Forbes - Evolution and diversity of parasitic insects
Dr. Bin He - Evolution of gene regulatory networks for stress response
Dr. Douglas Houston - Evolution of development in amphibians and molluscs.
Dr. Drew Kitchen - Emergence and evolutionary rates in viruses
Dr. John Logsdon - Molecular evolution of sex and meiosis
Dr. Maurine Neiman - Evolution of sex in nature
Dr. Lara Noldner - Human Osteological Documentation and Research with the University of Iowa Stanford Collection
Dr. Bryan Phillips - Understanding the role of protein aggregation in C. elegans embryonic development
Dr. Sarit Smolikove - DNA Damage Repair and Meiosis
Dr. Christopher Stipp - Evolution of tumor heterogeneity
Dr. Mary Wilson - Determinants of disease severity due to infection with the Leishmania species protozoa
Eligibility
Participants should:
- be US citizens or permanent residents enrolled at US Universities.
- be majoring in a STEM field (especially Biology, Biological Anthropology, or Geoscience with a Paleontology emphasis).
- be available to attend the entirety of the program (May - July, 2024).
- have a GPA of 3.0 or above.
- have a background in science coursework. Coursework that connects directly to topics in evolution will be favored.
- have a strong work ethic and motivation to learn
- have an interest in pursuing a career in scientific research.
- identify three or more potential research mentors from the list above.
Students from underrepresented minority groups and/or who have limited research opportunities at their home institution are especially encouraged to apply.
REU Alumni
Click here to watch the 2019 REU Cohort's research videos
Click here to view the 2021 REU Cohort's digital posters
Click here to view the 2022 REU Cohort's digital posters
Click here to view the 2023 REU Cohort's digital posters
APPLY HERE for the Summer 2024 Program
Questions? Contact Dr. Andrew Forbes (andrew-forbes@uiowa.edu).
Funded by the National Science Foundation - Award Numbers 1757334 & 2149361